What Is God’s Heart on Anxiety?
Anxiety inaccurately judges reality. It forgets the past and fears the future. It fails to remember how you’ve made it through past difficulties and focuses instead on potential threats in the future. Anxiety leaves you with a fight or flight response in the present, vigilantly preparing for possible outcomes or avoiding fearful situations altogether.
The Lord, however, sees all things clearly. He says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isaiah 46:10). God has brought you through the past and holds your future in His hands. And in your present struggle with anxiety, He is with you. The Lord is at work in your life—your anxiety is not without purpose. God longs to be your refuge and help you walk through your fears and troubles.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
10 Biblical Truths When You Become Anxious
#1 – God wants you to remember that He is good and gracious—and compassionately cares about you. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:8–9).
#2 – God wants you to remember He is with you when you’re fearful. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
#3 – God wants you to pray and experience His peace when you’re feeling anxious. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
#4 – God wants you to look to Him and His Word when you’re filled with anxiety. “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).
#5 – God wants you to align your thoughts with His truth when you feel anxious. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
#6 – God wants you to trust Him when you’re anxious—to have faith and not fear. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).
#7 – God wants you to talk to Him about all that causes you to feel anxious. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
#8 – God wants you to talk to others about your fears and anxieties. “Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 11:14 NASB).
#9 – God wants you to take care of yourself physically and spiritually. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
#10 – God wants you to encourage others who struggle with anxiety. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25).
Key Verse to Memorize:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Key Passage to Read:
Philippians 4:4–9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
My Personalized Plan to Manage Anxiety:
For those who wrestle with anxiety, the future can feel bleak—void of hope and joy but full of fear and misfortune. But God always offers hope for the future and help for today. He comes alongside you and says, “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). To the fearful heart, the Bible says, “With his love, he will calm all your fears” (Zephaniah 3:17 nlt). With God’s help, you can move forward today and have hope for tomorrow.
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)
As I seek God’s help with my anxiety, I will . . .
Remember God’s character
When I’m anxious, I’m tempted to think that God doesn’t care about me, He’s not in control, or He’s not powerful enough to change anything. This can lead me to believe that I have to hold everything together. I need to realize, that my view of God amidst anxiety can either make matters seem worse or help me remain calm and see things clearly.
— I will seek to know God’s character by reading His Word and praying for Him to continually reveal Himself to me.
— I will believe that God is good, that He is with me, and that He will help me—and trust that He is in control and has my best interests at heart.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. . . . The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:8–9, 13).
Address physical issues
Anxiety is not just emotional or cognitive but also physical. It can be caused by or result in physical changes, so it is therefore important to address any physical issues that may be contributing to my anxiety.
— I will talk with a doctor about the symptoms I am experiencing and seek treatment.
— I will seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising regularly, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, avoiding harmful substances, and learning relaxation techniques to manage stress and anxiety.
“I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV).
Talk with others
Anxiety can consume my thoughts and emotions and impair my ability to work and go about my daily life. Given the impact it can have on me, sharing my struggles with others and receiving guidance can help me process my experiences and move forward.
— I will seek the help of a professional counselor, supportive group of people in my church or community, and/ or talk with trusted friends and family members.
— I will be honest about how I’m feeling and what I’m experiencing.
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 11:14 NASB).
Reorient my thoughts
Much of the experience of anxiety occurs in the mind. It can cloud my judgment and hinder my decision making. Anxiety can cause difficulty concentrating and lead me to believe the future is grim. Addressing my thoughts and thought patterns is critical to managing and even overcoming anxiety.
— I will keep a journal and write down my honest thoughts.
— I will seek to align my thoughts with God’s Word, identifying thoughts that are based on lies and replacing them with God’s truth.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
Be in community
Anxiety leads many people like me to avoid social interactions. Taken to an extreme, I can become isolated and alone. But God made me to be in relationships with others. Having supportive friendships and relationships can go a long way toward helping me gain a sense of wholeness, wellness, and normalcy amidst anxiety.
— I will regularly meet with friends and family members to talk, share a meal, or go out together.
— I will look into joining a local church, small group, Bible study, or community support group.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NLT).
Stay active spiritually
God clearly states in His Word that He cares about me. When I’m anxious, He wants to hear from me. He provides help for me through His Word, His people, and most of all, His constant presence.
— I will maintain an active spiritual life by praying, reading God’s Word, and meeting with other believers to help me grow.
— I will constantly seek to grow in my relationship with Christ, who loves me and gives me grace each day.
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Hang on to hope
It’s been said that a person can live weeks without food, days without water, seconds without air, but not a moment without hope. Anxiety leads me to focus on the future, and often not a bright future. How important it is to maintain a hopeful outlook on life.
— I will remember that true, lasting hope is found not in my circumstances but in God and His Word.
— I will mediate on God’s promises in the Bible, remembering that I can always have hope.
“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
